Stephen Phelps

Rev. Stephen H. Phelps, a pastor in the Presbyterian Church USA, served as Interim Senior Minister of The Riverside Church in New York City until 2014. He speaks and writes on themes of power and spiritual consciousness. He and his wife live in New York.

America’s political dysfunction is a symptom of a national identity crisis. Americans are drawn to incompatible views of human purpose. I appreciate how Gary Dorrien (writing in both this issue of Tikkun and in The Obama Question) frames the broken mirror of national identity in two panes. In one is yearning for unrestricted liberty to acquire wealth; in the other is yearning for self-government—that is, a desire for rightful power to apply core values in the creation of public policies and practices, including those that pertain to wealth. Not only do large blocs form around these two yearnings, but many individuals seem internally split by the competing desires. They want leadership, but no clarity comes from political or religious leaders. If this crisis goes unsettled for much longer, the system will founder. That fact should cheer no one, for in the present state of affairs, tyranny, not revolution and reconstruction, will follow.

3 Ways to Support Our Work

1. Donate to Tikkun

2. Subscribe to Tikkun

Read articles that “bridge the gap between the spirit and the intellect”

3. Gift Tikkun to Others

Spread the love — share with others

How to Be an Activist

At a time when demonizing those who are not yet with us is commonplace and the political discourse is becoming more polarized, widening the political gap, insisting on seeing the humanity of others even when you despise their behavior, is a radical political act.

Become curious.

Ask not what is wrong with someone you don’t agree with, but rather what is driving them to support policies that are so hurtful to others.